Whether you are looking for a natural way to spice up your love life or are looking for a special something for valentine's day, matcha is an incredible aphrodisiac that has been scientifically studied to boost sex life in both men and women.

You've probably heard about the long list of health benefits of green tea, but did you know that green tea —particularly matcha green tea powder — is a strong natural aphrodisiac as well?

Matcha has been pretty stiff competition for centuries when it comes to offering a natural boost to your libido, among its many other health benefits.

What are aphrodisiacs?

Aphrodisiacs were named after Aphrodite, the Grecian goddess of love. According to Greek myth, Aphrodite originally came from the ocean and took her shape from sea form. Coincidence that matcha powder is the same deep and vibrantly green color found in the crisp, clear waters of the ocean?

And that the seafoam matches the alluring topping of a deliciously and thoughtfully prepared matcha latte? We definitely don't think so— and neither does science, it turns out. (1)

What makes matcha an aphrodisiac?

Matcha tea is a romantic beverage of choice for any intimate occasion due to the powerful feel-good effect triggered by L-theanine. L-theanine, which is found in large quantities in matcha, has been studied to be an excellent social lubricant that lowers anxiety and stress levels, allowing individuals to make genuine connections and authentic conversations. 

Green tea and matcha has been used for centuries as a natural aphrodisiac in Japan, tastefully setting the stage for intimacy with its fragrant aromatic chemicals and natural libido-boosting compounds. (1)

L-theanine triggers the pleasure center of the brain, releasing dopamine.

Matcha powder contains significant concentrations of l-theanine, which has been heavily studied to increase dopamine generation in men and women. Dopamine — released when the body consumes l-theanine from matcha powder — is a chemical neurotransmitter that triggers the pleasure center in your brain. So when you drink matcha, it naturally boosts blood flow, alleviates anxiety, and increases overall sexual attraction and enjoyment. (2)

Matcha's caffeinated yet calming effect on sex drive for both men and women

If you tend to get nervous before or during sex, drinking matcha can help. Matcha contains large amounts of caffeine, which has been studied to increase sexual desire — especially among women. The calming effect of matcha green tea also improves overall sex drive, increasing energy and endurance during intercourse among men and women. (1)(7)

Matcha may help men with erectile dysfunction and longer-lasting erections.

Matcha green tea powder also has been studied to lower blood pressure and improve circulation by triggering a natural process known as vasodilation. (3)

Vasodilation leads to the relaxation of the blood vessels, allowing the body and brain to receive extra oxygen and nutrients. Drinking matcha green tea powder has even been shown to help men achieve hard and more enjoyable, longer-lasting erections. One animal-based study from 2008 found that signs of erectile dysfunction were slowed down and largely diminished by administering a concentration of green tea serum for six months. (4)

Its libido-boosting benefits are also due to the unique mix of polyphenols and catechins it contains. The way matcha is cultivated, grown, and harvested ensures maximum potency. Catechins work in the body, killing off free radicals and stopping damage to inflamed blood vessels. They cause blood vessel cells to expel nitric oxide, which increases the size of blood vessels and improves overall blood flow. (3)

Regular consumption of matcha may help improve male fertility.

Studies have also shown that daily consumption of matcha for several months can help improve male fertility, which can be a driving reason behind having difficulties with intimacy, especially if you are a couple trying to conceive. (5)

Did you know?

Matcha green tea bushes are grown beneath cloths that shade the leaves from the sun, which accounts for matcha's superior taste and nutrient content compared to generic green tea.

Matcha has been shown to increase sex drive in menopausal women.

It can be natural for a women’s sexual drive to drop as she enters her 40s and 50s, but there are ways to combat the drop in hormone levels with match at any age.

Among matcha's anti-aging benefits, the finely ground green tea powder has also been shown to increase women's libido going through menopause. Matcha has even been studied to help reduce and alleviate the signs and symptoms of menopause in women — including the lack of interest in sex. (6)(9)

Regularly drinking matcha can help balance estrogen levels and has been shown to work extraordinarily well for improving the sex lives of menopausal women. (8)

Matcha has also been shown to combat signs and symptoms of depression. So if you feel like your decrease in sexual drive may due to seasonal depression, regularly drinking matcha may help.

How much matcha, and when should I have it before sex?

Keep in mind that the best serving size varies from person to person, but generally, 2-3 servings of matcha (2-3 grams) around 30 minutes before sex will help most healthy adults feel the sex-boosting benefits of matcha.

Other individuals may need a bit more, but you likely don't need to worry about overdoing it with matcha. Studies show any adverse side effects such as a runny tummy would likely require over eight servings or more.

You can also consider using matcha in a healthy dessert recipe to have for a date night at home, such as a raw matcha cheesecake or a matcha chia pudding recipe. 

7 Easy ideas for spicing up valentines day with matcha 

1. Start the morning with a yummy and energy-boosting matcha-strawberry drink or green matcha smoothie in bed.
2. Enjoy a cup of matcha and then an energizing morning yoga practice to start your day.
3. Consider listening to some music and dancing after having a glass of matcha lemonade.
4. You can also make matcha mojitos cocktail — we have a great recipe here.
5. Enjoy a matcha latte and then go for a walk with the dog and a loved one.
6. Make a matcha-infused dessert with a loved one and enjoy watching a good romantic comedy.
7. Why not plan on having a traditional Japanese tea ceremony before heading to the bedroom for some foreplay? 

The bottom line

Matcha is a wonderfully dynamic tea that can be used in various ways to benefit your health — including your sexual health. There is no question matcha can be an easy and effective natural aphrodisiac that boosts libido and overall sexual pleasure while also offering a grounding and blissful effect. 

If you have any existing health conditions or issues, remember to sync up with your healthcare provider before using matcha as a standard form of aphrodisiac for boosting libido. Overall, we are excited about the potential of matcha as a natural aphrodisiac, though there is still more research that needs to be done when it comes to interaction with prescription medications and other common health conditions.

More articles you may like:

• Switching from coffee to matcha in nine days or less
• How Matcha Green Tea Naturally Lowers Anxiety | Combat Winter Anxiety With Matcha
• Start Supplementing L-theanine Naturally With Matcha: Drinking Matcha Green Tea For L-theanine Benefits

1. Ali, J., Ansari, S., & Kotta, S. (2013). Exploring scientifically proven herbal aphrodisiacs. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 7(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.112832
2. Baba, Y., Inagaki, S., Nakagawa, S., Kaneko, T., Kobayashi, M., & Takihara, T. (2021). Effects of l-Theanine on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of Medicinal Food, 24(4), 333–341. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2020.4803
3. Keske, M. A., Ng, H. L., Premilovac, D., Rattigan, S., Kim, J. A., Munir, K., Yang, P., & Quon, M. J. (2015). Vascular and metabolic actions of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate. Current medicinal chemistry, 22(1), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.2174/0929867321666141012174553
4. Neves, D., Assunção, M., Marques, F., Andrade, J. P., & Almeida, H. (2008). Does regular consumption of green tea influence expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor in aged rat erectile tissue? Possible implications for vasculogenic erectile dysfunction progression. AGE, 30(4), 217–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-008-9051-6
5. Opuwari, C., & Monsees, T. (2020). Green tea consumption increases sperm concentration and viability in male rats and is safe for reproductive, liver and kidney health. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72319-6
6. Patisaul, H. B., & Jefferson, W. (2010). The pros and cons of phytoestrogens. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 31(4), 400–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2010.03.003
7. Peng, X., Zhang, M., Wang, X., Wu, K., Li, Y., Li, L., Yang, J., Ruan, Y., Bai, R., Ma, C., & Liu, N. (2021). Sex differences in the association between green tea consumption and hypertension in elderly Chinese adults. BMC Geriatrics, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02431-3
8. Samavat, H., Wu, A. H., Ursin, G., Torkelson, C. J., Wang, R., Yu, M. C., Yee, D., Kurzer, M. S., & Yuan, J. M. (2019). Green Tea Catechin Extract Supplementation Does Not Influence Circulating Sex Hormones and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis Proteins in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Postmenopausal Women at High Risk of Breast Cancer. The Journal of Nutrition, 149(4), 619–627. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxy316
9. Webster, A. D., Finstad, D. A., Kurzer, M. S., & Torkelson, C. J. (2018). Quality of life among postmenopausal women enrolled in the Minnesota Green Tea Trial. Maturitas, 108, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.10.013

Jenkinson, C., Petroczi, A., Barker, J., & Naughton, D. P. (2012). Dietary green and white teas suppress UDP-glucuronosyltransferase UGT2B17 mediated testosterone glucuronidation. Steroids, 77(6), 691–695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2012.02.023